Monday in Hawkville

The Seahawks held their first practice since the roster cut to 53 players on Saturday, and the missing 22 players were conspicuous by their absence.

It did allow a more focused approach, as the Seahawks began preparing for their regular-season opener Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qwest Field.

“On one hand, it’s good because you focus in on the guys that are going to be playing,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “On the other hand, you’ve got to careful you don’t blow them out in practice.”

PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Ellis Wyms, Jason Babin and Alvin Pearman. The new kids on the block.

It was a day of crash courses in the way the Seahawks do things for Babin and Pearman, who were obtained Saturday in trades with the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars; and Wyms, who agreed to sign with the Seahawks on Sunday night after being released Saturday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Wyms is a defensive tackle, Babin a defensive end and Pearman a running back.

What their roles might be Sunday remains to be seen. Monday, they were too busy trying to find their way around the building and remembering the names of everyone they were meeting for the first time.

Defensive tackle Russell Davis was released to clear a roster spot for Wyms, who also inherited Davis’ old number (95).

POSITION WATCH, PART I
Quarterback. Don’t blink, or you’ll miss them. Both of them.

For the first time in his 16 years as a head coach in the league, Holmgren has only two QBs on his roster. That situation will change, eventually, but not even Holmgren can tell you who might be signed.

“That will be a flexible situation,” Holmgren said. “Before too long we’ll probably have three quarterbacks. … I have never done this. For right now, it’s OK.”

POSITION WATCH, PART II
Center. The quarterbacks had the “true” snappers outnumbered. Chris Spencer is the starter, but after that, well, the next guy up is right guard Chris Gray.

To help get through practice, rookie guard Steve Vallos is being taught how to play center. A seventh-round draft choice, Vallos was released Saturday and signed to the practice squad Sunday. He was doing the snapping Monday for the show team that worked against the Seahawks defense.

“That could be one of those positions that we monkey with just a little bit,” Holmgren said.

Jones is scheduled to return to practice Wednesday for the first time since the week prior to the preseason opener. Holmgren said he also expected Wilson and Joppru to be ready to play Sunday.

Linebacker Julian Peterson, cornerback Kelly Jennings and defensive back Jordan Babineaux returned to practice. For Babineaux, it was his most extensive action since July 29 when he bruised his right knee in the first practice of training camp.

QUOTE UNQUOTE
“They beat us pretty good. Last game of the year, and they were kind of tuning up for the playoffs and we were kind of tuning up for vacation.” – Wyms, on the 2006 regular-season finale, when his new team beat his old team 23-7.